Tag Archives: family

Ladybugs and tiny tomatoes

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After planting the garden two weeks ago, the girls decided we should try something a little different.  They asked if we could add ladybugs to the garden.  How did they get such an idea I have no idea but I found the request to be both interesting and possibly fun.  In life I have found there are many things asked of us that are not possible so when I come across those that are I do my best to oblige.

I did think this request would be easier to fill than it turned out to be.  Madison and I jumped into the car last week and headed to a local garden center.  We looked around a little and then asked a woman at the desk.  She looked at me as if I were a bit crazy and said no they did not carry them.  Back to the car and a little bit of a longer ride to the next center.  Right to the desk this time but same result, no ladybugs.  This center did carry them “maybe 2-3 years ago” but no longer.  Interesting, with the rise of environmental awareness that no one in my local area would carry a natural garden insect control.

So to the internet and within seconds many options appeared.  We placed our order with the promise of live ladybugs arriving through the mail.  Madison found this to be rather taxing to think about.  The questions flew, How would they ship them?  How do they get the bugs into the box? Would they still be alive? Are ladybugs really all ladies?  Hmmm on that one :-) .Image

Saturday the package arrived in the mailbox.  1500 little red bugs ready to be set free.  We  followed the directions and set the out into the garden.  There were many who did not make it through the trip but even more did.  They scurried everywhere as did we.  With all of the movement in the garden we thought it best to just get out-of-the-way so they new residents could settle in.  While releasing them we did notice the beginnings of cherry tomatoes on two separate plants.  We may be eating from our garden before July!

Image 1I checked the garden today and indeed many of the friendly little bugs are still around.  It is yet to be seen if they will have an affect but we will was with great interest and enjoyment!

 

Jolie, the day after

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I follow many blogs written by woman who either have breast cancer, are BRCA positive or have had a prophylactic mastectomy.  Yesterday after reviewing several of those blogs most covered Angelina Jolie in some way of another.  What struck me as very interesting is the wide range of opinions on her story.  Most women like myself who underwent BPM surgery commend Jolie for using her platform if for nothing else to get the conversation about breast cancer risks flowing.

I was very interested in some that took great offense in how for lack of a better word , simplistic Jolie made the event seem.  In her article she makes a statement, “but days after surgery you can be back to a normal life”.  Now, I had a different surgery since my reconstruction was done by DIEP flap surgery cutting my entire abdomen.  This required many different steps be taken including not being able to move a muscle in the hospital for 48 hours and having someone checking for a pulse in my new breasts every hour which was fun for all. (not!)

When I got home I was no where close to back to a normal life.  Honestly there was a great deal of pain, many tears and for many weeks the belief that there would never be such a thing as “normal”.  I remember weeks after the surgery attempting to walk around the block with the girls and feeling like I would not make it home.  I remember being unable to get in and out of my own bed. I could not lift my arms, bend over or lift anything for what seemed like a lifetime.  I could not shower for well over a month because of the drains which left such large scars that shaving was an issue for months.  I could go on and on but the point is the same, it was less than a normal life for a very long time!

Normal.  I guess it is all in how we define the word.  I will be reminded for the rest of my life every time I take a shower.  60+ stitches left a more than noticeable scar across my abdomen.  I had wonderful surgeons whom I would recommend to anyone. Angelina describes her “small scar”, I am sure she had the best medical care that money could buy and she probably had a better outcome from it than many.  I do not fault her for that at all.  All I do is say that I will agree with those who fell she does paint a much rosier picture than what I found to be my reality.

One thing that was normal for me was the fear that after multiple years of biopsies that the next one would be the one to show cancer.  That the next mammogram would be the one.

With that said, the many of use who have shared our stories could never reach the audience that she has with her name recognition.  As I stated yesterday in my post, if her experience results in women being tested, educated and empowered well God bless her for sharing simplistic story and all!  Maybe it will cause women to take to the internet to read more realistic stories of the process. Causing women to act is the important thing.  Get your mammograms, question your history, talk to your doctor.

I thank god everyday that I had the strength to make such a decision.  I too now only have a 5% risk of developing breast cancer.  Even with the worst of the memories running through my head about the surgery and recovery, I would do it again tomorrow.  I look forward to many healthy years with my family!

A great day!

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IMG_4244Happy Mothers Day to all!  

What a nice day I had today!  It got off to a slow start with a morning filled with light recovery from a festive end of season soccer party yesterday.  We had the entire team and their families for a late night filled with  laughs, drinks, good times and a few fireworks.

The morning started with the girls giving me cards and crafts made at school, all very nice and thoughtful. They included cute things on “I love you because…” and little “helping hands” of items that I can cash in for help over the year.  I think one of my favorites was the card from Madison which was a recordable card.  I did not expect to hear he little voice telling me that she loved me as I opened it.   I also got flowers and a gift card to the hair salon which will come in very handy this Wednesday when I once again will wash the gray away.

Frank got us take out from the diner for breakfast which was very tasty.  After the girls and I laid on the sofa and watched a Harry Potter movie.  IMG_4266

An extra special event of the day was Madison’s first attempt to ride her bike without training wheels.  She prepared by putting on both knee and elbow pads explaining to me that she was nervous that she may fall. She headed outside with Frank as I went to grab some shoes.  I put on some flip-flops and headed out the front door just in time to see my baby pedal by.  I could not be more proud! IMG_4273The day wrapped up with Frank cooking dinner and the girls helping with the dishes.  Not a bad day at all!  I have come to realize that it is the little things that make life exciting.  Seeing my daughter overcome her fear and conquer a training wheel free bike, a hand written card filled with love or those moments just holding my girls while watching a movie.  These are the things that are important in life and I cherish every one!

Garden fresh

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If it was not for the allergies that the girls and I suffer from, Spring would be my favorite season!  Trees blooming, birds chirping and time to plant the garden!

After weeks of prepping, planning and expanding the garden the plants went in on Sunday.  We have come a long way since the first time we tried to grow some things.  A few tomato plants in pots just 4 years ago to the largest garden to date this year.  We will be growing tomatoes of course, both large and cherry,tons of cherry!  We eat them like fruit all summer long).  We also have both red and green bell, jalapeño and long hot peppers, cucumbers, strawberries and a first this year an attempt at watermelon.IMG_4242

It has really been a team effort this year.  Frank bought soil for us that we needed for the expansion.  The girls both took turns with both the hoe and rake getting out the weeds.  On Sunday when it came time to plant, the girls were so excited. Every year we say that it is “our” garden but of course I do most of the work.  Last year they did a wonderful job during the summer harvesting since I was still recovering from the bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.

IMG_4243This year it truly is “our” garden.  Megan and Madison both did a great job planting.  They took their time placing young, fragile plants into perfectly dug holes.  Two days later things look great.  The plants look healthy and already seem to be growing.  I look forward to watching the garden flourish and to the satisfaction it will provide to my girls.  It should be a fun summer of gardening and fresh veggies!

Some life lessons are hard

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Yesterday I posted about the bird nest that had been attacked by the Crow’s.  We were very hopeful that we had been able to save the bird family since the mother bird had returned to the nest.  Those hopes started to wane around dusk last night when the nest seemed empty.  We are not able to see into the nest due to its height in the tree.  The girls refused to believe anything bad had happened instead believing that mom was out “stretching her wings”.

This morning Megan was first out the door to again find an empty nest.  The realization set in.  Sadness hit my girls.

Life is a series of lessons, some big others small many sad but others wonderful.  They all have to be learned.  For my girl today death, and the fact that sometimes no matter how hard you try, your best is not always enough.

The biggest lesson of the day, never stop trying and always give your best.  As long as you do, the good will outweigh the bad!

The protector

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What a morning we had today.  We were going about our normal morning business breakfast ,music lessons and getting ready for school.  The calm of our morning came to an abrupt end when Holly, our beautiful yet hyper and crazy labrador retriever started to bark like crazy at the back door.Image

Now I guess I should back track just a little and state that the girls and I noticed a Robin building a nest in one of the plum trees in the back yard a bit over a week ago.  We know she laid eggs because the girls check on her daily as she sits ever patiently on them in the nest.  She is very accepting of the curious little eyes staring up at her.  I have stressed to the girls not to get too close and never to try to touch the nest.Image 2

So, back to this morning.  Holly was barking out of control so I looked out the kitchen window.  To my horror I saw 2 Crows in the tree with the nest.  I ran to the door and opened it.  Now, my dog is 80 pounds of pure lovable best friend.  She has a mighty big bark and is very protective of my girls.  When I opened the door she took off in a full sprint toward the tree barking the entire time.  The Crows circled the tree and then took off.  Holly ran back and forth until something caught her attention under the tree.  She stood looking at us at the door and then back at the ground.  She did this several times without moving.

I went out to find the tiniest baby bird laying on the ground.  The girls of course followed.  I told them to run inside and get a paper plate and a step stool.  The bird was breathing but was so tiny and had just fallen about 7 feet onto rock.  I could almost hear my mother’s voice in my head telling me not to touch that bird!  In front of me were my girls and the very protective dog who all expected me to do something great.  What could I do?

I sprang into action giving the little thing a push onto the plate. I rolled it into a little tube and  then climbed up on the step stool getting as close as I could to the nest without having an eye poked out.  I was able to get the plate right into the edge of the nest where I then poured the baby in.  As I was climbing down I realized I was being watched by the mother from a fence panel.  She seemed very calm waiting for us to leave before taking her place back on top of her perfectly made nest.

We have checked on her several times during the day.  She has been in position on the nest.  We all have our fingers crossed that the baby makes it through.  I always knew our lovable dog protected my girls like a mother, who knew she was looking out for all of the creatures in the yard!Image 1

My new addiction

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Every time I turn on the television I grow more disillusioned.  Being from the Philadelphia area, the local news has continual updates on the Kermit Gosnell abortion murder trial. Murder, late term and live abortions, fetus’s found in boxes, this case has it all.  There was a commercial break today during a non news show that started with “a woman who claims she was instructed to snip the spinal cords of fetus’s born alive…..” I changed the channel.

A few short weeks ago it seemed that we were being prepared for imminent war with North Korea.  A daily barrage of missile launch warnings and dictator rants. Now that seems to be replaced with the Syrian war drums.

Terrorist attacks in Boston, Swat teams searching private homes, a totally, broken, dysfunctional and honestly in my opinion corrupt Washington all adds to the weight we all already carry with our own personnel lives and issues.

SO what is one to do? Well of course turning off the TV is an option but for a lover of the boob tube like myself that is not a feasible option.  Instead I have discovered a loved for Netflix streaming.  Who knew all of the gems that were on the air in early 2000.  Alias and In Plain Sight or some still on the air that I had never seen like Numbers or Psych.  We  have seen many of the family movies available and Madison has fallen in love with HR Puff and Stuff. 

I am sure to some making the conscious decision to tune out for a while is not smart.  To others things that I have mentioned in this post are new to them which could explain why our system is so broken. To me it is a must, my brain can only handle so much bad news and lately that is all there has been.  In the greater scheme of addictions, well it could be far worse!

Skip to the Lou, ouch!

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White-daisy-blue-sky-bright-colors-20523941-1280-1024Yesterday morning started like many others in our house, wake the girl, get them ready for school and out the door to the bus stop.  With the nice weather and bright blue sky the kids were all hyper running around until he bus arrived.  As the bus pulls up the kids grab their bags, get the morning hugs and kiss and off they go.

Madison and I began to walk back to our house when she looks at me and says ever so innocently, “let’s skip”.  What a fun idea, the sky was blue, air warm and my beautiful baby wants to skip home.

Kind of how I felt straining a calf muscle skipping.

Kind of how I felt straining a calf muscle skipping.

I made it the length of about a house when a pain shot through my left calf.  I let out a small “ouch” and stopped.  It was then that my six-year-old looked at me with those caring, loving eyes and laughed.

Nasty kid! :-)

In my head I can visualize myself doing many things.  And then reality sets in.  Getting old is a real B…….., well let’s just say I am not enjoying it very much!

My Life

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Recently I have been debating what the next chapter of my life will hold.  My little one will be in first grade full-time starting in September.  I have had people ask if I was going to get a real job.  It had started to bring me down a bit.

I love standing at the bus stop waving to the girls as they head off to school. I love having the opportunity to give a hug and kiss as they step onto the bus.  I look forward to the stories as soon as they get off the bus after a busy day of learning.  I am the one to sit with my girls while they do homework and I am the one to answer the questions that arise from that homework.

We of course could be better off financially if I went back to work,  that is assuming I could even find a job.   I love my life, my husband and my girls.  I am sick and tired of feeling like I need to apologize for wanting to take care of my family.  I do the laundry, I clean our home.  I am the taxi service for karate, CCD and soccer.  I handle all medical and dental appointments. I ensure that my ever-growing girls have clothes that fit and food on the table.

I want to be present. I remember track meets with my friends parents wishing I could see my mother rooting for me.  I remember wishing just once.

My job keeps me pretty busy, and I love every minute of it! I will apologize to no one for wanting to continue to do it.